St George
Jesmond, Tyne & Wear
St George's 19th century church is one of the outstanding ecclesiastical buildings in the north of England.
Consecrated in 1899 with further work in 1905 and final completion in 1931. A large cruciform church with a large tower (99 feet high) displaying the words of the Sanctus with intriguing words on the east side. Lawns on three sides with memorial garden to the north.
Inside is a polished granite font in memory of Mr Sam Smith (Ringtons Tea) with carved canopy in memory of Canon Robert Trotter, Vicar 1902 - 1932. There are Memorials to those who fell in both World Wars in the north aisle. An impressive rood dominates the nave. The figures of St John and St Mary stand either side of the crucifix. It is the work of Ralph Hedley. Below is an alabaster dwarf screen given by Mrs Isabella Beavan in memory of her husband Frederic Beavan a local business man and church warden from 1902 – 1913. The oak pulpit is from the Ralph Hedley workshop and was given by the mother of the curate Revd Charles Medd in memory of her husband Charles Medd, a London barrister. The organ and the organ screen were given in 1904 by Miss Matilda Easton a great benefactor to St Gabriel’s and many other churches in the northeast. The screen is of oak by Ralph Hedley.
Revd Medd commissioned the mural of The Ascension which is above the high altar in memory of his father. The painting was carried out in Paris by J Eadie-Reid. The vicar and Revd Medd had a trip to Paris in 1910 and reported that the painting was progressing well. It was being painted on five panels which were brought back and assembled in situ. The figures may have faces taken from the donor’s family. The triptych reredos comprises 22 figures topped by Christ in Majesty with two angels alongside. J Eadie-Reid had painted the panels on the high altar in 1904. Again the work of Ralph Hedley. The Lady Chapel was added in 1931 and dedicated by the Bishop along with the south transept, the reredos, font and cover.
More recently the church has been rewired and new lighting installed which is much more energy efficient and can be computer programmed to suit the needs of events taking place.